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enUK’s NHS COVID-19 tracing app will be ‘technically ready’ in 3 weeks https://diginomica.com/uks-nhs-covid-19-tracing-app-will-be-technically-ready-3-weeks
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">UK’s NHS COVID-19 tracing app will be ‘technically ready’ in 3 weeks </span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 04/28/2020 - 06:10</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/uks-nhs-covid-19-tracing-app-will-be-technically-ready-3-weeks" data-a2a-title="UK’s NHS COVID-19 tracing app will be ‘technically ready’ in 3 weeks "><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
The app, if included as part of a broader test, trace and isolate strategy, could help ease lockdown restrictions. <br />
</dd>
</dl>
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<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">CEO of the NHS’s central digital unit, <a href="https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/">NHSX</a>, has said that the government’s COVID-19 digital contact tracing app will technically be ready for wide scale use in two to three weeks. However, Matthew Gould added caution by saying that the timing of the app release will depend on the readiness of the government’s broader test, trace and isolate strategy. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Gould was answering questions from members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, where it was also revealed that NHSX believes it is ahead of Google and Apple on the development of contact tracing solutions and waiting for them to catch up could delay rollout. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><a href="https://diginomica.com/contact-tracing-data-and-nhs-some-questions-answered-nhsx">Contact tracing apps</a> - which use bluetooth technology via your smartphone to keep track of who you come into close contact with - have been touted as one of the ways to better manage the spread of the novel Coronavirus and help ease lockdown restrictions. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The idea being that if you start to experience symptoms in line with COVID-19, you then self report these into an app and that then lets everyone you came into contact with know to self-isolate too. Testing on everyone involved would then be carried out to confirm whether they COVID-19 or not. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The development of these contact tracing apps have been aided by Google and Apple coming together to develop an API - and a future platform built into their respective OS’s. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The government is hoping to couple this with 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day and the hiring of 18,000 staff to support manual contact tracing. It is unclear when both these targets will be met. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Gould explained the thinking behind the app to the Committee: </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The way that we can manage this safely is by being able to rapidly detect and isolate people who have recently come into contact with new COVID-19 cases. So, the message needs to be, if you want to keep your family and yourselves safe, if you want to protect the NHS and stop it being overwhelmed, and at the same time get the economy moving, the app is going to be an essential part of the strategy for doing that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Getting people to use the app</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Professor Christophe Fraser, Senior Group Leader in Pathogen Dynamics at the University of Oxford Big Data Institute, said that various simulations have been carried out to get an understanding of the impact of the use of a digital tracing app if lockdown restrictions are eased. He said that if uptake of the app is substantial and if people use it correctly (share their data and self-isolate when advised to), then the reproduction number could potentially be kept below 1. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The reproduction number is a measure used to understand how quickly COVID-19 is spreading within the community. For example, if the reproduction number is 3, then for every person infected, they will then pass it on to three people. It has been said that a reproduction below 1 will keep the pandemic manageable across the UK, in terms of NHS capacity and other services. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">However, it has been said that the country would need to see upwards of 60% uptake of the tracing app for it to be effective. In fact, 80% uptake was mentioned during the Committee briefing. Gould warned that this would take a tremendous effort. He said; </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">To be blunt about it, the levels of download that you’ve mentioned, which would be optimal for making the thing work, will be tough. It will require us to really get the message over that this is a core part of how we move forward. It will require us to earn and keep the trust of the people that we are doing this in the right way and that they understand what we are doing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">It will require us to have messages from everyone that people trust, both from the government, but also more widely. It will require us to find messengers and messages that will resonate in communities that we need to be a part of. It will require an enormous comms effort. But if we can get that level of trust and participation, the impact on our ability to manage the situation will be important.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Timelines</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Gould said that NHSX is working night and day to get the app ready for rollout, once the government’s other testing and tracing capabilities are also ready. He explained that the first phase will see the app used in a small area within the next couple of weeks, to see how the new technology might work locally before a national rollout. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">However, it won’t be long before the app is ready for broader use. Gould said: </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">I would expect us to have it technically ready, subject to performing in the trials and the small area in the way we expect, for a wider deployment in two to three weeks. Whether it is then deployed, depends on the wider strategy. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The app makes sense as part of a strategy. Part of a strategy where there's contact tracing on one side, and testing on the other. And we need to make sure the hinge between those paths works.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">As countries started to develop their contact tracing solutions, Google and Apple came forward and said that they were also collaborating to develop tools to help - as their respective OS’s cover most smartphones around the world. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">However, Gould said that whilst NHSX is working closely with Apple and Google, he believes that the UK is ahead of them in terms of development. He explained: </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">We are working very closely with Apple and Google. We are talking to them frequently about what we are doing, what APIs they’re using and how it’s working. But the Apple and Google approach is itself evolving and it’s not there yet. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">What they have said is that they will do a two stage process. Firstly, to make an API available - so allowing those developing contact tracing apps to more effectively do so. And second stage develop their own contact tracing product - but we are some way from that second stage. So actually waiting for them I think would slow us down quite considerably.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
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<div class="field__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/tags/coronavirus" hreflang="en">Coronavirus</a></div>
<div class="field__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/tags/covid-19" hreflang="en">COVID-19</a></div>
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<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/digital-government/nhs" hreflang="en">Health</a></li>
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Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:10:14 +0000Derek du Preez22134 at https://diginomica.comContact tracing, data and the NHS - some questions answered by NHSXhttps://diginomica.com/contact-tracing-data-and-nhs-some-questions-answered-nhsx
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Contact tracing, data and the NHS - some questions answered by NHSX</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 04/27/2020 - 04:21</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/contact-tracing-data-and-nhs-some-questions-answered-nhsx" data-a2a-title="Contact tracing, data and the NHS - some questions answered by NHSX"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
Contract tracing could help the UK in its fight against Coronavirus. However, there are concerns about its effectiveness and data privacy. <br />
</dd>
</dl>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p></p><figure role="group" class="caption caption-div embedded-entity align-right">
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<source media="all and (min-width: 30em)" srcset="https://diginomica.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_images_desktop/public/images/2020-04/C070731C-5FBC-4786-9112-14271F090CAA.jpeg?itok=En1atGRn 1x, https://diginomica.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_images_desktop_2x/public/images/2020-04/C070731C-5FBC-4786-9112-14271F090CAA.jpeg?itok=sxy7DpRH 2x" type="image/jpeg"></source>
<source sizes="100vw" srcset="https://diginomica.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_images_mobile/public/images/2020-04/C070731C-5FBC-4786-9112-14271F090CAA.jpeg?itok=1I1POWHr 480w, https://diginomica.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_images_mobilke_2x/public/images/2020-04/C070731C-5FBC-4786-9112-14271F090CAA.jpeg?itok=j7JL3waa 640w" type="image/jpeg"></source>
<img alt="Image of someone looking at their mobile phone " src="https://diginomica.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_images_desktop/public/images/2020-04/C070731C-5FBC-4786-9112-14271F090CAA.jpeg?itok=En1atGRn" />
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<figcaption>(Image by William Iven from Pixabay )</figcaption>
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<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The NHS’s central digital unit - NHSX - has revealed more details of the government’s plans for digital contract tracing, which is being put forward as one of the tools that could be used to help contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the UK as and when lockdown restrictions are eased. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">A <a href="https://healthtech.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/24/digital-contact-tracing-protecting-the-nhs-and-saving-lives/">blog post</a>, written by NHSX CEO Matthew Gould and Dr Geraint Lewis, draws particular attention to the data privacy concerns people may have surrounding the use of tracing technology. NHSX has said that the soon to be released app and any future development will be transparent and comply with the law around the use of data. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Contact tracing apps - which use bluetooth technology via your smartphone to keep track of who you come into close contact with - have been touted as one of the ways to better manage the spread of the novel Coronavirus and help ease lockdown restrictions. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The idea being that if you start to experience symptoms in line with COVID-19, you then self report these into an app and that then lets everyone you came into contact with know to self-isolate too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The development of these contact tracing apps have been aided by Google and Apple coming together to develop an API - and a future platform built into their respective OS’s - that would allow for a solution that doesn’t rely on a central authority.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">However, as <a href="https://diginomica.com/divisions-over-covid-19-contact-tracing-tech-emerge-europe">reported on diginomica/government</a>, theory and reality are two very different things. Experts have already laid out that the technology is open to trolling, that uptake is necessary but hard to ensure, and that errors are likely.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">In addition to this, the Ada Lovelace Institute in the UK last week said that there is no evidence to support the immediate deployment of digital contact tracing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">However, NHSX said that the NHS will be launching a contact tracing app in the coming weeks, which it states will automate the process of contact tracing - with the aim of reducing transmission of the virus. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The blog post states:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The app will be part of a wider approach that will involve contact tracing and testing. We are working hard to make sure that all these elements are properly linked up, to make it as seamless as possible and to ensure the app complements more traditional measures that, working together, can protect vulnerable groups and those who cannot or do not want to access digital tools.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The app will give the public a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. The technology is based on research evidence developed by epidemiologists, mathematical modellers and ethicists at Oxford University’s Nuffield Departments of Medicine and Population Health.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The government announced last week that it would also be hiring 18,000 people to help aid its efforts in contact tracing once lockdown measures ease. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Data privacy at the core</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">It is clear from the NHSX blog that the organisation is keen to allay any concerns about the government extending its powers when it comes to the collection and use of personal data. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">NHSX states that the data log of how close you are to others with the app also downloaded will be anonymous and stored on your phone. If you become unwell, users will have the choice to allow the app to inform the NHS which, “subject to sophisticated risk analysis”, will trigger an anonymous alert to other app users with whom you came into significant contact with. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The app will then advise you what action to take if you have been close to someone who has become symptomatic and this advice will be approved by the Chief Medical OFficer. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">NHS notes that “scientists and doctors will continuously support us to fine-tune the app to ensure it is as helpful as possible”. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">In future releases of the app, citizens will be able to choose to provide the NHS with extra information about themselves to help the government identify hotspots and trends. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Specifically on data privacy concerns, NHSX says: </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The data will only ever be used for NHS care, management, evaluation and research. You will always be able to delete the app and all associated data whenever you want. We will always comply with the law around the use of your data, including the Data Protection Act and will explain how we intend to use it. We will be totally open and transparent about your choices in the app and what they mean. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">If we make any changes to how the app works over time, we will explain in plain English why those changes were made and what they mean for you. Your privacy is crucial to the NHS, and so while these are unusual times, we are acutely aware of our obligations to you. Just as the NHS strives at all times to keep your health records confidential, so it will keep the app data secure. Patient confidentiality is built in to the NHS. It is one of our key values.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">NHSX goes on to say that it has prioritised security and privacy in all stages of the app’s development, starting with the initial design and user testing. It will also be publishing the key security and privacy designs alongside the source code, to support a peer review approach. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The digital unit has also consulted on its plans with the Information Commission, the National Data Guardian’s Panel and the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation. It has also established an ethics advisory board for the app. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">The blog post finishes by stating: </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<blockquote><p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">We are committed to listening to your ideas and concerns to ensure this app will develop and improve over time. We will explain to app users when and why we make any changes. User-testing sits at the heart of the app’s design, its implementation and its continuous improvement.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">This new app has the potential to contribute towards the country returning to normality - but only if a large proportion of the population installs it. Which means that millions of us are going to need to trust the app and follow the advice it provides. To earn that trust, we will continue to work based on transparent standards of privacy, security and ethics.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">My take</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:#000000; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; text-align:start; white-space:normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); text-decoration:none; line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Arial"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">No one knows how effective these contact tracing apps will be. Evidence suggests that they will need 60% plus uptake from the general population to have any effect. Getting that level of support and engagement from the public will require transparency and evidence that their data rights are being protected. If NHSX’s latest words are taken at face value, it appears that it seems to understand that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
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Mon, 27 Apr 2020 11:21:52 +0000Derek du Preez22130 at https://diginomica.comCalifornia publishes ‘Crisis Standard’ to help authorities design services in response to Coronavirus https://diginomica.com/california-publishes-crisis-standard-help-authorities-design-services-response-coronavirus
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">California publishes ‘Crisis Standard’ to help authorities design services in response to Coronavirus </span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 04/15/2020 - 04:12</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/california-publishes-crisis-standard-help-authorities-design-services-response-coronavirus" data-a2a-title="California publishes ‘Crisis Standard’ to help authorities design services in response to Coronavirus "><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
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<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
It’s easy to imagine how standards slip down the list of priorities during a crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic. California explains why that would be a mistake. <br />
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<p dir="ltr">Governments and public authorities around the globe have been working at breakneck speed to deliver new digital services in response to the current global health pandemic, Coronavirus. It would be easy to let standards slip when being tasked with turning around services in a matter of hours and days, rather than the weeks and months teams are typically afforded. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, California has released what it is calling ‘Crisis Standard’ on GitHub, which explains why it is still important to keep standards front of mind. We think it’s worth paying attention to and is a useful template for those teams around the world doing exemplary work in response to COVID-19. </p>
<p dir="ltr">California’s Coronavirus crisis response team notes that Californians don’t distinguish between the different tools and services provided - they’re all still State services - and as such, the quality needs to be consistent. That’s true too of the <a href="https://covid19.ca.gov/">covid19.ca.gov site</a>, or elsewhere. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I’ve written <a href="https://diginomica.com/designing-digital-services-during-coronavirus-pandemic-some-advice">some thoughts on diginomica</a> about important points to consider when designing new services during a crisis - but I thought the Californian team’s ‘Crisis Standard’ was particularly succinct and helpful. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Teams working in similar situations would do well to ask themselves the following questions, as outlined in the team’s post. The quotes included are taken directly from the post, but it’s worth reading the team’s standards in full - <a href="https://github.com/cagov/covid19/wiki/Crisis-standard">which can be found here</a>. They include: </p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Content is simple, clear and actionable </h2>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Doing the hard work to make things simple for users has never mattered more. Users need clear, actionable instructions on what to do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We need to help users understand what they should and shouldn’t do and, most importantly, why they need to do this. In a crisis, it’s easy for users to become stressed and overwhelmed with too much information.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Response is accessible </h2>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Everyone needs covid19.ca.gov to find out what they need to know, and do what they need to do. It has to be accessible to everyone. It’s not just that it’s the law; it’s the right thing to do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This includes people with a whole range of disabilities or difficulties, people who use lower-end devices, and people inexperienced with computers. We also translate our content to meet the needs of users whose first language isn’t English, and consider those who might struggle to read.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Provide a joined up experience for users</h2>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Users come to the covid19.ca.gov site as a jumping off point to address a wide range of needs and service they require. Users need a consistent and joined up experience as they move to other agency’s services and information.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To the end user, it should feel like one seamless experience that never leads them into dead-ends or into loops.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Information and advice must be the same across agencies, never giving the user conflicting actions.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Respond to what users need and iterate rapidly</h2>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">This crisis is ever-changing. What users need from us is constantly changing. We need to be flexible and make changes rapidly based on data, feedback from users and the state government’s response.</p>
<p dir="ltr">User testing is essential, otherwise we won’t know whether we’re making things worse for people or meeting their needs.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Scale responsibly</h2>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">We plan for increases and decreases in demand, consider the impacts of our decisions on other services, and have basic operational standards for what we expect from other services we link to.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We expect our partners to share their analytics and name a Service owner that’s accountable for the performance of the service. That service owner is the person who ensures all of the above for their service and who’s woken up in the middle of the night should the service stop working.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="field field--name-field-image-credit field--type-string field--label-inline">
<em>Image credit - Image sourced via Pixabay</em>
</p>
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<span class="categories__label">Read more on: </span> <ul class="categories__list">
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/regulation" hreflang="en">Regulation</a></li>
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/ux-application-design" hreflang="en">UX and application design</a></li>
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/digital-government/central" hreflang="en">Central</a></li>
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Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:12:33 +0000Derek du Preez22083 at https://diginomica.comAlex Chisholm set to replace outgoing Civil Service chief John Manzonihttps://diginomica.com/alex-chisholm-set-replace-outgoing-civil-service-chief-john-manzoni
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Alex Chisholm set to replace outgoing Civil Service chief John Manzoni</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 03/31/2020 - 04:19</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/alex-chisholm-set-replace-outgoing-civil-service-chief-john-manzoni" data-a2a-title="Alex Chisholm set to replace outgoing Civil Service chief John Manzoni"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
Chisholm is currently serving as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Manzoni’s departure was confirmed at the end of January. <br />
</dd>
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<figcaption>(Image sourced via GOV.UK)</figcaption>
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<p dir="ltr">Outgoing Civil Service chief John Manzoni is set to be replaced by Alex Chisholm, who will take up the roles of Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office and Civil Service Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointment was announced this week by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.</p>
<p>Manzoni’s departure was <a href="https://diginomica.com/sir-john-manzoni-prepares-step-down-civil-service-chief-how-did-he-fare-digital-reforms">confirmed at the end of January</a> and had been “long-planned”, according to the Cabinet Office. However, Manzoni has agreed to stay on to support the government’s response to Coronavirus over the next few months.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Chisholm is currently serving as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and was previously Chief Executive of the Competition & Markets Authority.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove noted that Chisholm’s initial work will, unsurprisingly, be focused on Coronavirus. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">I am delighted Alex has been chosen as the Cabinet Office’s new Permanent Secretary, and Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service. He is an outstanding public servant who has also had a successful career in business and regulation. I look forward to working with him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the medium term, much of Alex’s work will necessarily be coronavirus response related. But Alex will be responsible for supporting ministers to develop and then drive forward a reform programme for the Civil Service, building on the Government’s existing efficiency programme. He will also supervise all the Cabinet Office’s various work programmes including on preparing for the end of the transition period, strengthening the union, and defending our democracy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I want to add my thanks to Sir John Manzoni for his service. Over the last few years, the cross-departmental functional governance programme has become embedded as part of Whitehall’s machinery, leading to significant savings for the public purse and improved performance. I wish Sir John all the very best for the future.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Commenting on his appointment, Alex Chisholm said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">I am truly thrilled to be asked to lead the Cabinet Office and Civil Service reform at this time. The present emergency is a powerful reminder of how important the work of Government is to the whole country.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I look forward to working with Ministers, colleagues in the Cabinet Office, Permanent Secretaries across government and public service leaders, to deliver for the government and the public together.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Future plans</h2>
<p>Manzoni was appointed chief executive of the civil service in October 2014 and was later also given the position of Cabinet Office permanent secretary, in August 2015.</p>
<p>He has had four key priorities in his role over the past few years, which include:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Increasing the numbers of people in Whitehall with delivery skills and to offer clear career pathways.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Develop functional leadership across government</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Building the civil service’s planning and performance management capability</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Evolving the model of leadership in the civil service, developing a pipeline of “credible, confident and experienced leaders”</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Whilst it is broadly accepted that he has been successful in a number of areas, we at diginomica/government have also <a href="https://diginomica.com/jaccuse-john-manzoni-a-vote-of-no-confidence-in-digital-transformation">levelled a fair amount </a>of criticism at Manzoni during his tenure. On two particular occasions we have pointed the finger directly at the Civil Service chief for blocking, or attempting to dismantle, significant reforms</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, Chisholm is taking up his new role at a time of crisis with the Coronavirus pandemic, but also with Brexit looming over Whitehall operations. The Prime Minister’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings has also said that he wants to shake-up the machinery of government and the Civil Service.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In other words, Chisholm will have a huge agenda to oversee. He will take up his position on 14 April 2020.</p>
</div>
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Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:19:53 +0000Derek du Preez22020 at https://diginomica.comGovernment considers regulation ‘shake-up’ in the face of new transport techhttps://diginomica.com/government-considers-regulation-shake-face-new-transport-tech
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Government considers regulation ‘shake-up’ in the face of new transport tech</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 03/16/2020 - 05:40</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/government-considers-regulation-shake-face-new-transport-tech" data-a2a-title="Government considers regulation ‘shake-up’ in the face of new transport tech"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
A “once in a generation” review is being carried out to reform regulation in transport, with the view to better foster new technologies. <br />
</dd>
</dl>
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<p dir="ltr">The government has launched a review of transport laws, declaring that this is a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to ‘shake up’ regulations in the fact of rapidly changing transport technology. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The review is taking into consideration everything from zero-emission vehicles, to self-driving cars, drones, transport data and the role of government in creating a Mobility-as-a-Service platform. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The review as a whole will likely take three years, with the initial consultation and call for evidence closing on 22 May 2020. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Alongside the review, some £90 million of funding is being made available to carry out trials of new transport technologies in three ‘future transport zones’. These will provide real-world testing environment for experts, with the aim that they will work with a range of local bodies, including councils, hospitals, airports and universities. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The zones set to receive a share of the funding are in Portsmouth and Southampton, the West of England Combined Authority, and Debby and Nottingham. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One of the projects being tested will see drones carrying medical supplies from clinics on the Isle of Wight to hospitals on the mainland. Once trials are complete, the drones could be used to transport chemotherapy kits.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The government will also consult on the use of e-scooters - which have grown in popularity in other countries, including the US - including the role local authorities should play in managing their impact. </p>
<p>Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">We are on the cusp of a transport revolution. Emerging technologies are ripping up the rulebook and changing the way people and goods move forever.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Our groundbreaking future of transport programme marks the biggest review of transport laws in a generation and will pave the way for exciting new transport technology to be tested, cementing the UK’s position as a world-leading innovator.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The This review will ensure we understand the potential impacts of a wide range of new transport modes such as e-scooters, helping to properly inform any decisions on legalisation. Funding these new zones across the country will also help us safely test innovative ways to get around, creating a greener future transport system for us all.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">The review</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The government has said that the review is being undertaken to address areas of regulation that are outdated, a barrier to innovation, or not designed with new technologies and business models in mind. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It has laid out five core principles that will underpin the ‘values’ of the review. These include: </p>
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Regulation for innovation and safety</strong> - whilst the government wants regulation to unlock innovation, rather than hamper it, it also wants to manage any potential negative or unintended consequences</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Regulation built on evidence</strong> - the framework will support innovation, but only where there is evidence to show it can offer net benefits to society, the environment and the economy</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Regulation for agility</strong> - any future regulatory framework should be able to adapt more quickly to the technological pace of change</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Regulation for multi-modality</strong> - regulation should make it easier to develop multi-modal transport systems rather than reinforce modal silos</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Regulation with local consent and leadership</strong> - what is suitable for one region, city or environment will not necessarily be suitable for another. Where local leaders are keen to lead the way in ‘transport innovation’, the regulatory system should support them to do so. </p>
</li>
</ol>
<p dir="ltr">The document published today notes that the regulatory framework for the transport industry has been developed gradually over centuries, with a lot of primary regulatory regulation dating back to the 1800s. We have seen, for example, how the regulatory environment has failed to keep up with the changes in the taxi industry, with the likes of Uber growing increasingly popular. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The government has identified that pacing (the speed of innovation vs regulatory change) and convergence (the blurring of lines between sectors that cut across regulatory boundaries) are two of the biggest challenges facing the review and the future regulatory environment. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Rachel Maclean, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, commented on the review and said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Technology and innovation are already blurring the lines between different transport modes, and the increasing automation of transport will drive this further. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our regulatory frameworks for licensing, ticketing, payment and consumer protection need to be more responsive to this, and to single-priced journeys on multiple types of transport becoming the norm. Collaboration between different transport regulators will be critical.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And just as in other areas where technology companies have grown powerful, we want to ensure that they understand their responsibility to meet democratic norms and rules.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To make the UK a world leader in the movement of people, goods and services we need a world-leading regulatory framework for transport. Please take this opportunity to share your views and join with us in making regulation for transport innovation a reality.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
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<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/regulation" hreflang="en">Regulation</a></li>
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Mon, 16 Mar 2020 12:40:07 +0000Derek du Preez21964 at https://diginomica.comInternational Trade Minister Liz Truss pitches services trade reform to WTO https://diginomica.com/international-trade-minister-liz-truss-pitches-services-trade-reform-wto
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">International Trade Minister Liz Truss pitches services trade reform to WTO </span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 03/04/2020 - 03:25</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/international-trade-minister-liz-truss-pitches-services-trade-reform-wto" data-a2a-title="International Trade Minister Liz Truss pitches services trade reform to WTO "><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
The UK’s speech to the WTO this week may provide some indication of the government’s Brexit trade strategy with the EU. <br />
</dd>
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<p dir="ltr">For the first time since exiting the EU at the end of January the UK took an independent seat at the World Trade Organization, where Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss delivered a pitch to the WTO General Council on reforming services trade. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The WTO could play a significant role in the UK’s future trading position with the EU, depending on the outcome of the <a href="https://diginomica.com/uk-will-have-independent-policy-data-protection-will-seek-adequacy-decision-eu">Brexit trade talks</a> that are due to conclude at the end of this year. </p>
<p dir="ltr">If UK and EU negotiators fail to secure a free trade agreement in time, then the two trading blocs will have to revert to WTO rules (no deal). </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, it’s also worth noting that the Prime Minister has indicated that the UK will be <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjilvnQ24DoAhXSkFwKHT2uC3UQFjAAegQIAxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fbusiness-45633592&usg=AOvVaw0nRKELvzWsCcOt9hfeaJWC">seeking a ‘Canada-style’ trade deal</a> with the EU, which prioritises reducing friction on goods over services. Under the EU’s deal with Canada, there are still significant restrictions on services. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As a services focused economy, the UK may therefore be pushing reform on WTO services rules as a solution to get the best of both worlds. A goods-focused trade deal with the EU, falling back on reformed WTO services rules elsewhere. Although the extent to which the possible reforms will replicate the trading relationship the UK had as an EU member remains to be seen. </p>
<p dir="ltr">And there are many assumptions being made on our part here, given the early stage of negotiations. </p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What did Truss say? </h2>
<p dir="ltr">Truss used her speech to declare that the UK is an “open, liberal and outward looking nation”. She said that world trading volumes are lagging behind global growth and that the rate of decline in global poverty is also beginning to slow. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The Secretary of State said that the UK wants to turn the rise in protectionist measures being seen around the world and that the WTO is central to its future vision as a free trading nation. </p>
<p>Truss said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">The more we allow people to shape their own lives, remove barriers to enterprise within and between nations, and allow human ingenuity to flourish, the more rewards we will all reap.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The greatest economic advances from steam engine to the internet, have resulted from increasing international trade and connectedness, the ideas chain reaction.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So we will work with all nations that share this multilateral vision, to lead the defence of free, fair, rules-based international trade, pioneering a route to prosperity that lies through working together, not protectionism.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">She added that the UK wants to make sure the rule-based system is based on open, market orientated policies and is “transparent and fair”. The UK, Truss said, will in particular take aim at “trade tensions” such as industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises and forced technology transfer. </p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Leaders in services and tech</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The UK will seek to advance trade for the “modern era”, Truss said during her speech, noting that the world has “experienced a revolution in technology and automation”. She argued that while technology services have changed our world and account for close to half the value of international goods and services, the barrier to trade in services are “around three times higher than for goods”. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Truss said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">As a services orientated economy, a world leader in sectors ranging from tech to finance, and the world’s second largest services exporter, this is a huge opportunity.</p>
<p>The UK will push to ease restrictions on cross-border data flows…preventing unnecessary data localisation requirements…and ensure customs duties do not apply to electronic transactions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We will do this through multilateral or plurilateral groups at the WTO, a coalition of the willing, such as the JSI on e-commerce and through wider reform to trade in services, the UK seeks to be a future leader in these areas.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">She concluded by saying that the UK will be a trading nation that pushes for liberalisation in trade in services and data, with the aim of turning around protectionist trends and delivering benefits of the “global digital revolution for all members”.</p>
</div>
<p class="field field--name-field-image-credit field--type-string field--label-inline">
<em>Image credit - Image sourced via GOV.UK </em>
</p>
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Wed, 04 Mar 2020 11:25:49 +0000Derek du Preez21907 at https://diginomica.comUK will ‘prioritise digital’ in trade talks with US https://diginomica.com/uk-will-prioritise-digital-trade-talks-us
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">UK will ‘prioritise digital’ in trade talks with US </span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 03/02/2020 - 07:43</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/uk-will-prioritise-digital-trade-talks-us" data-a2a-title="UK will ‘prioritise digital’ in trade talks with US "><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
The UK has published its negotiating objectives for a free trade agreement with the US. But reaching a trade agreement will be a balancing act. <br />
</dd>
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<p dir="ltr">The British government has this week set out it’s negotiating objectives as it attempts to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement with the USA, placing digital trade as a top priority. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, the post-Brexit trade agreement is likely to be a fine balancing act given that the UK is also under pressure to secure a post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU before the end of the transition period. The EU-UK Brexit negotiations also kick off today. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The UK may find itself stuck between a rock and a hard place as it contends with differing priorities between the two trading giants, one of which favours strict personal data regulations (the EU), the other likely wanting more flexibility.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Throw into the mix that US technology giants will likely be placing pressure on the UK to reduce the rhetoric around a digital services tax - things could well get very complicated, very quickly. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Whilst there are inevitably huge opportunities on securing a free trade agreement with both the US and the EU, the realities of being a smaller independent trading nation are likely to become apparent, with the UK possibly having to decide which will benefit it more greatly over the coming decades. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The one saving grace is that the UK-US trade talks aren’t time pressured (unlike the EU negotiations, which have to reach a conclusion one way or another by the end of the year), and a lot could change over their lifetime - including potentially a new incoming President! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The government has said that the free trade agreement with the US will deliver for the whole of the UK, with Scotland, the North East and the Midlands forecast to benefit most from removing barriers to trade with the US. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Government published analysis states that the UK economy will benefit from a £3.4 billion boost, as the trade deal aims to increase transatlantic trade flows by £15.3 billion. </p>
<p dir="ltr">International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Striking ambitious free trade agreements with our partners around the world is one of the key opportunities of Britain becoming an independent trading nation once again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This deal with our biggest single trading partner will cut red tape for our small businesses, cut tariffs for our great products from dairy to cars and increase growth in all four nations.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Detail on digital</h2>
<p dir="ltr">As noted above, the government has said it will be giving priority to arriving at “cutting edge digital trade provisions, that could maximise opportunities across the UK economy”. The objective, the government’s document states, is to reduce the costs of international trade, facilitate the coordination of global value chains and help connect businesses and consumers, including mechanisms to support digital business models and contracts. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The document adds that the government has listened to responses from stakeholders on the desire for robust online protections for consumers and the need for provisions to “support innovation and cyber cooperation”. </p>
<p>On some of the challenges noted above - particularly a digital services tax and data regulations - it reads:</p>
<blockquote><p>We also note comments regarding digital taxation and will consider this as part of our policy development. We have listened to the responses from stakeholders on the desire for robust protections for consumers online and agree that protecting an open internet is an important principle.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Government notes stakeholders’ responses regarding data protection and privacy standards in the UK and will ensure that robust protections for personal data are maintained. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The UK will allow for the continued free flow of data to the EU on a transitional basis, subject to our own independent UK ‘adequacy’ arrangements being established, which will govern the transfer of personal data from the UK.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">It was recently <a href="https://diginomica.com/uk-will-have-independent-policy-data-protection-will-seek-adequacy-decision-eu">reported by diginomica/government</a> that the government has said that it will be seeking an adequacy decision from the EU to allow personal data to continue to flow freely between the EU and the UK. However, it has also said that it will have an independent data protection policy in the future - leaving it open to divergence from the EU’s GDPR. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The government estimates that more than 72% of UK services exports to the US (approximately £46 billion) were delivered remotely in 2018, the majority of which were due to cross-border data flows. </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
<p class="field field--name-field-image-credit field--type-string field--label-inline">
<em>Image credit - Image sourced via Twitter. </em>
</p>
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<span class="categories__label">Read more on: </span> <ul class="categories__list">
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/data-privacy" hreflang="en">Data privacy</a></li>
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/regulation" hreflang="en">Regulation</a></li>
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/digital-government/central" hreflang="en">Central</a></li>
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Mon, 02 Mar 2020 15:43:24 +0000Derek du Preez21898 at https://diginomica.comDCMS’s post-Brexit data protection intentions would leave Einstein confusedhttps://diginomica.com/dcmss-post-brexit-data-protection-intentions-would-leave-einstein-confused
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">DCMS’s post-Brexit data protection intentions would leave Einstein confused</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/cmiddleton" class="username">Chris Middleton</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 02/27/2020 - 03:09</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/dcmss-post-brexit-data-protection-intentions-would-leave-einstein-confused" data-a2a-title="DCMS’s post-Brexit data protection intentions would leave Einstein confused"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
When asked about Britain’s intentions for data protection policy in a post-Brexit world, a DCMS data chief preferred to ponder on physics...<br />
</dd>
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<p dir="ltr">As the UK government today outlines its vision of what a future trade deal with the EU looks like, what attention will data adequacy get amid the prospect of fishing wars and ‘level playing fields’?</p>
<p dir="ltr">When Sajid Javid – then Chancellor of the Exchequer – told the Financial Times last month that the UK would be diverging from European rules and regulations, he was playing to the gallery. Javid has since consigned himself to the back benches of history, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have been echoing his line about Britain now being a “rule maker, not a rule taker”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It’s a great soundbite, but the UK was a rule maker and modifier throughout its 47-year membership of the EU. Post Brexit, it may find itself becoming rather more of a taker than it would like, once Brussels begins erasing the half century of concessions it made to British Parliamentary sovereignty. That process is just beginning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But there is another challenge in all the political grandstanding over trade and immigration, one that can be expressed in a single word: data. No deal on trade would also mean no deal on data transfer, hosting, storage, and processing. And regulatory divergence could mean breaking EU rules on data governance, privacy, and protection, which would be the same as no deal. With an estimated 80 percent of UK organisations having data in the EU at least some of the time, that would be a massive problem.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) put it at a Westminster conference on GDPR last year, crashing out of the EU with no deal or no regulatory equivalence could mean enterprises, charities, and public sector organisations sending their data to the EU but not getting it back. Because in 2020, trade isn’t only about fish and computer chips, it’s also about bits and bytes. And it isn’t just about money, but also a free exchange of information, ideas, and research.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It became apparent that some of the speakers at that 2019 eForum event (banks, charities, government departments, and the NHS among them) had no idea where in the world their data actually was, owing to the ever-shifting mix of contracts, services, mirror sites, departmental silos, and responsible owners that typifies any large organisation – such as the NHS, not to mention their infrastructure, platform, and Software as a Service (SaaS) suppliers. I know, because I asked them</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">‘Nothing is still’</h2>
<p dir="ltr">So what does government have to say about all this? At a Westminster eForum conference on data protection this week, it fell to the young, quiet, and studious figure of Harry Lee, Deputy Director of Domestic Data Protection Policy at the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to tell his assembled colleagues from DCMS, BEIS, DIT, HMRC, DfE, DfT, DWP, the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, and others, what the hell is going on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At this point all Lee needed to do was provide focus, clarity, and a simple message of reassurance about the future, so delegates could head back to their desks whistling Jerusalem. But instead, he launched into an eloquent soliloquy about theoretical physics – evidence of his own interests, perhaps, or conceivably something cut and pasted from Dominic Cummings’ blog.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lee said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Theoretical physics from Einstein onwards has taught us many things. [...] One is that nothing is still, or more precisely, nothing is still unless everything is at rest. Motion is relative. So if anything is moving, then anything fixed we must define as an origin.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">This went on for several minutes, replete with vague allusions to the US, navel-gazing, and observing change in a fast-moving world. The problem, of course, is that in quantum physics something can be on and off at the same time, or in two places at once, or both a particle and a wave. While that may be an accurate (if tragic) description of the UK’s on/off future at this point in history, that level of ambiguity on policy matters helps no one – least of all businesses.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Circling the topic without engaging with specifics (a pay rise and promotion must be in the bag), Lee added:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">For anyone surveying data policy today, one thing is obviously true: nothing is still. Most things are moving and they’re often moving very quickly. We need to understand what is driving a lot of activity and change, because these are the forces as policymakers in the UK that we need to respond to in the coming years, and technological change is one very important driving force.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Yes, Mr Lee, we know that. But delegates came to the eForum for answers, not to have the questions explained to them alongside Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. Wearing an education conspicuously on your sleeve while saying nothing of substance or practical benefit typifies the government of Johnson, Cummings, Rees Mogg, et al. There’s even a word for it: obfuscation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">But there were glimpses of policy objectives through the endless quantum foam:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">The gap between theory and day-to-day best practice cannot be allowed to grow too large. If understanding and complying with data protection is too difficult and burdensome for the average business, our framework cannot be effective in practice. We will not realise its benefits either as individuals or for our economy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">This may have been a coded message that the government aims to slash some of that supposed red tape. But while simplifying the Data Protection Act 2018 for SMEs might be an option, for example, trying to amend EU regulations themselves is impossible from the outside. Indeed, Europe may decide to impose the strictest interpretations of GDPR on the UK in a political battle of wills.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At no point did Lee’s speech address the questions that everyone wanted answered, namely: will the UK diverge from GDPR, will there be a data adequacy agreement, and does Whitehall even want one? At least, until co-chair Charles Courtenay, 19th Earl of Devon (and partner at law firm Michelmores), pulled rank in the most British way possible and demanded clarity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With a social pecking order handed down from the Fifteenth Century, in this case, the hapless Lee felt he had little choice but to respond when ordered to do so by an aristocrat. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">I think we have a very clear commitment as a country to seek an adequacy deal with the EU as a priority before the end of the transition period, so it is in place by next year. We think that is practical. And we're optimistic.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">My take</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Finally! Whatever else may be changing in the UK, it still takes an Earl to get a simple answer to a question, it seems; everyone else has to make do with the patronising erudition of policy wonks or Cummings’ passive aggressive posturing. Anything but fill the vacuum of English politics with substance or verifiable facts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So data adequacy is the ambition, but the politics of getting to that point by 31 December are an entirely different matter. They will largely be driven from the front by a Downing Street that has scant interest in details, zero practical understanding of technology, and which sees the big picture purely in terms of personalities and populism.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So will there be data adequacy come 1 January 2021? We can only hope so – and try, collectively, to force it to happen. But don’t hold your breath; not while a EU trade agreement is nowhere near the table.</p>
</div>
<p class="field field--name-field-image-credit field--type-string field--label-inline">
<em>Image credit - Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay </em>
</p>
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<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/regulation" hreflang="en">Regulation</a></li>
<li class="categories__item"><a href="https://diginomica.com/government/category/data-privacy" hreflang="en">Data privacy</a></li>
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Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:09:40 +0000Chris Middleton21880 at https://diginomica.comMet Police Chief: ‘Our facial recognition tech is not biased’https://diginomica.com/met-police-chief-our-facial-recognition-tech-not-biased
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Met Police Chief: ‘Our facial recognition tech is not biased’</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Wed, 02/26/2020 - 04:31</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/met-police-chief-our-facial-recognition-tech-not-biased" data-a2a-title="Met Police Chief: ‘Our facial recognition tech is not biased’"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick gives a firm rebuttal to the critics of facial recognition technology. <br />
</dd>
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<p dir="ltr">The use of Live Facial Recognition technology across police forces has been a highly contentious issue and has been criticised by both <a href="https://diginomica.com/facial-recognition-continues-despite-concern-mps-and-ongoing-court-case">civil liberty groups, as well as MPs</a>. Police Scotland recently went as far to say that <a href="https://diginomica.com/no-justifiable-basis-police-scotland-use-live-facial-recognition-technology">there is “no justifiable basis” for its use</a>. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, despite privacy concerns, negative media attention and claims that facial recognition systems are biased against minority groups, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has this week delivered a strong critique of the criticism and said that those against its use should consider the impact on victims of serious crime. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to this, Dame Cressida Dick said that London’s police force is not using facial recognition technology that contains any bias - a bold and highly contentious claim. </p>
<p dir="ltr">On the Met’s use of Live Facial Recognition technology, the Met Police Chief wanted to bust what she calls ‘myths’ regarding its use. In a speech this week, Dame Dick said: </p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The tech does not store citizens’ biometric data</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Human officers will always make the final decisions on whether or not to intervene - not the machine</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The tech is “proven” not to have an ethnic bias</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The Met Police has been open and transparent about its use</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">The Police Chief went on to say that policing will remain an “essentially human service”, but will be supported by better information and tools. She argued that the use of technology will be necessary in an increasingly complex and sophisticated criminal landscape, where online and real-world blend and there is huge amounts of data available to forces. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Dick said that machines which are as sophisticated as humans at making decisions are a long way off, and so the Met Police likes to think in terms of ‘Augmented Intelligence’. She said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">I wouldn’t put all policing’s hopes and fears on what is described as Artificial Intelligence. Augmented Intelligence where one definition “human-centred partnership model of people and artificial intelligence working together to enhance cognitive performance, including learning, decision making and new experiences.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The term describes better how technology can work to improve human intelligence rather than to replace it. That feels much closer to how we in policing are using technology. I also believe a licence to operate technology in those human terms feels much closer to what the public would expect and accept.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Chief added that the Data Protection Act 2018 also requires that automated decisions that affect individuals must have a human “in the loop” to oversee the decisions and processes behind them. </p>
<p>She said that technology gives the Met Police “incredible opportunities in 2020” to identify more offenders, locate fugitives, prove associations and motivations - but that the forces will need to work to ensure the public remain supportive of its approach. </p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Countering critics</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Dick said that the Met’s trials of Live Facial Recognition resulted in the arrest of eight wanted individuals, which otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. But the Chief said that at the moment the loudest voices in the debate around the technology seem to be the critics. She went on to issue some firm words to those critics: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Sometimes highly inaccurate or highly ill informed. I would say it is for critics to justify to the victims of those crimes why police should not be allowed to use tech lawfully and proportionally to catch criminals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is not for me and the police to decide where the boundary lies between security and privacy, it is right for the police to contribute to the debate. But speaking as a member of public, I will be frank. In an age of Twitter and Instagram and Facebook, concern about my image and that of my fellow law-abiding citizens passing through LFR and not being stored, feels much, much smaller than my and the public’s vital expectation to be kept safe from a knife through the chest.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">The Commissioner added that the only people that will benefit from the Met not using Live Facial Recognition “lawfully and proportionally” are the criminals, rapists and terrorists that want to “harm you, your family and friends”. </p>
<p dir="ltr">And on the question of system bias, Dick said that London’s systems do not contain any...except when identifying women. She said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">We know there are some cheap technologies that do have bias, but as I have said, ours doesn’t. Currently, the only bias in it, is that is shows it is slightly harder to identify a wanted women than a wanted man.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It’s important for people to know that we only have people on the LFR watch list who are wanted for serious crime. The surveys show – I know there is more work to come – but that’s very likely to be supported by the public.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">Give us a legal framework</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The Police Chief said that the Met has two possible choices. It can either not adapt to modern tech and not use tech that increases the likelihood of solving and preventing crime, or use tech proportionately to speed up how human officers solve and prevent crime. </p>
<p dir="ltr">She added that whilst the Met is open to criticism on this, what she would like to see is the government bring in an enabling legislative framework that is debated through Parliament, consulted on in public, and which will outline the boundaries for how police should and should not use tech. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Dick said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">For today, I will simply say that it will be crucial to ensure that any future governance is able to enable the proportionate and appropriate use of technology to augment human policing. Any future guidelines – and I know this is difficult – and guidelines should be clear, should be simple, and should be fit for the 21st Century and need not to go out of date as soon as they have been published.</p>
<p>I strongly believe that if we in the UK can get this right, we stand in good stead to be world leaders in appropriate, proportionate tech-enabled human policing. The Prime Minister announced in his speech to the UN last year that in 2020, he would host a summit in London to establish global tech guidelines with the UK as a “global leader in ethical and responsible technology.” I hope that that might provide us with an opportunity to look at the use of tech in the round, including what it means for policing.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
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<em>Image credit - Image by TheOtherKev from Pixabay </em>
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Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:31:56 +0000Derek du Preez21876 at https://diginomica.comMoJ on the hunt for Head of Prisons Digital Services to help end reliance on ‘monolithic supplier owned systems’https://diginomica.com/moj-hunt-head-prisons-digital-services-help-end-reliance-monolithic-supplier-owned-systems
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">MoJ on the hunt for Head of Prisons Digital Services to help end reliance on ‘monolithic supplier owned systems’</span>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://diginomica.com/author/ddpreez" class="username">Derek du Preez</a></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 02/24/2020 - 07:24</span>
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_46 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://diginomica.com/moj-hunt-head-prisons-digital-services-help-end-reliance-monolithic-supplier-owned-systems" data-a2a-title="MoJ on the hunt for Head of Prisons Digital Services to help end reliance on ‘monolithic supplier owned systems’"><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit"></a><a class="a2a_button_buffer"></a><a class="a2a_button_flipboard"></a></span>
<dl class="node__summary summary">
<dt class="summary__label">Summary: </dt> <dd class="summary__content">
The Head of Prisons Digital Services will help the MoJ deliver new digital services and technology infrastructure solutions ‘at pace’. <br />
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<p dir="ltr">The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is on the hunt for a candidate to become its <a href="https://jobs.jobvite.com/mojscscareers/job/oIz3bfwf">Head of Prisons Digital Services</a>, a role that will command a salary of up to £95,000. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Services (HMPP) Digital team’s aim is to deliver joined up services that “save lives, time and money; wherever and on whatever device is best”. It has said that its aspiration is to completely end its dependencies on monolithic supplier owned systems and develop a flexible ecosystem of user centred services. </p>
<p>The Head of Prisons Digital Services will report directly to the MoJ’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, Tom Read, and be responsible for all digital and technology services across prisons and youth justice. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The MoJ more broadly is an interesting Department in terms of its digital development. It and its executive agencies are responsible for some very ambitious programmes - including the HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s £1.2 billion transformation programme - and it has also recently revealed that it is planning to move thousands of its systems to the public cloud.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In a recent blog posting, the MoJ said that moving to the cloud meant both saving money and being better “able to manage, change, improve, and secure our systems and the data they hold, as well as making it easier to make them more resilient to failure”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, it has faced significant criticism over its delivery of certain projects, including its <a href="https://diginomica.com/ministry-justice-e-tagging-programme-classic-tale-terrible-public-procurement">e-tagging programme</a>, as well as its <a href="https://diginomica.com/ministry-of-justice-apologises-for-unacceptable-it-court-failures-working-with-atos-and-microsoft-to-resolve-issues">HM Courts and Tribunals Service reform</a>. </p>
<p>MoJ’s CDIO, Tom Read, said that the Head of Prisons Digital Services will help the Department transform some of the most fundamental services offered by government. He said: </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr">Our vision is a digitally-enabled end-to-end justice system which can adapt and respond to changing needs. Can you help us get there?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Why should you work for us? First and foremost, because we build things that matter. There are millions of people interacting with our services every year, often at the most difficult times of their lives. We want to provide them with simple to use, effective services which are built around their needs and help to improve access to justice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On top of this we are transforming the way our 70,000 staff working across over 900 sites work by providing them with the tools and technology to connect, collaborate and innovate as well as creating a more flexible, digital workplace.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There is a lot of work still to do to see through the journey we have set out on. There are challenges ahead but these will be outweighed by the rewards in achieving our vision. If you have the skills, leadership and qualities we are looking for, we’d love you to join us.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">The role</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The chosen candidate for the role will be responsible for all digital and technology services provided to HMPSS, across prisons and youth justice. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Specifically, the Head of Prisons Digital Services will be tasked with: </p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Working as part of the MoJ Digital & Technology leadership team to set strategy and direction, create a shared sense of purpose, and ensure the team is achieving its overarching goals.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Running a core team of around 70, made up of multidisciplinary digital delivery teams, and application support teams plus a number of external managed services.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Defining a coherent future vision and strategy for the digital transformation of prison and youth justice services, and delivering it in line with the overall strategic goals of MoJ and its agencies.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ensuring existing services for prison and youth justice staff, members of the public, and offenders in custody are maintained, patched and upgraded.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Building the understanding of the opportunities of digital transformation across the HMPPS executive leadership team.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Leading a portfolio of change programmes and products, and making joint prioritisation decisions with the agency and MoJ Digital & Technology leadership teams.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Working in close partnership with other parts of the central MoJ Digital & Technology team, including Platforms & Architecture, Privacy & Security, and Common Technology Services.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to this, the chosen candidate will define the vision and strategy for the digital transformation of prison and youth justice services, be an adviser to the HMPPS executive team, work closely with ministerial teams, deliver new digital and tech solutions at pace, be accountable for the delivery of complex digital products and services, as well as build and nurture a growing team based in Sheffield. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Those interested in the role will need to have experience and a proven track record of developing a delivering a coherent digital strategy, leading a digital transformation in a complex environment, as well as feel confident in representing the community to large audiences inside and outside of government. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Applications for the position close on Sunday 1st March 2020.</p>
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<p class="field field--name-field-image-credit field--type-string field--label-inline">
<em>Image credit - Image sourced via Pixabay</em>
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Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:24:24 +0000Derek du Preez21866 at https://diginomica.com